List waterbodies that do not meet WQSs with technology-based controls alone (303(d) list).

Set priority rankings for the waterbodies listed.

Establish TMDLs that meet WQS for each listed waterbody.

Solicit public comment.

Submit 303(d) list and TMDLs to EPA for approval.

Incorporate TMDLs into the State's Continuing Planning Process.

What is a TMDL?

A TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) establishes the maximum amount of an impairing substance or stressor that a waterbody can assimilate and still meet WQSs and allocates that load among pollution contributors.

TMDLs are a tool for implementing State water quality standards. They are based on the relationship between pollution sources and in-stream water quality conditions.

TMDL addresses a single pollutant or stressor for each waterbody.

Which waterbodies require TMDLs?

Waterbodies require TMDLs when the following pollution control requirements are not stringent enough to meet applicable WQSs:

Technology-based effluent limitations required by the CWA;

More stringent effluent limitations required by either State or local authority; and

Other pollution control requirements (e.g., best management practices) required by local, State, or Federal authority are not stringent enough to implement any water quality standard applicable to such waters.

In Category 5 of Maryland's Integrated Report of Surface Water Quality (Integrated Report) is the current list of waterbodies that may require TMDLs. The 2012 Integrated Report was approved by EPA November 9, 2012. For more information about the 2012 Integrated Report, please click here.

The current list identifies 134 impaired watersheds. Various combinations of waterbodies and pollutants result in over 393 potential TMDLs statewide.

How are TMDLs calculated?

A TMDL is the sum of the allowed pollutant loads for point sources, non-point sources, projected growth and a margin of safety.

Maryland has begun to identify stressors of biological impairment. For more information about these biological stressor identification reports, click here.

As a partner with the other Bay watershed jurisdictions and EPA, Maryland played a key role in the development of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL, established by EPA in December 2010. An EPA website dedicated to the Bay TMDL is available as as an important source of information about the nation's largest collective TMDL, which includes nutrient and sediment TMDLs for 58 Maryland Bay water quality segments. The EPA website is regularly updated with new information about the Bay jurisdictions' efforts to implement the nutrient and sediment reductions required to meet the Bay TMDL. Click here to visit this site (you will be leaving MDE's website).

The Department has also created its own website dedicated to Maryland's Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) for the Chesapeake Bay TMDL, to disseminate information regarding the State's ongoing planning process and actions to achieve the Maryland-specific pollution reduction goals of the Bay TMDL. Click here to visit this site.

The 2012 Final Integrated Report of Surface Water Quality [303(d) List] has been approved by EPA and is now available. For more information, click here.